Kyoto City Library of Historical Documents

The Kyoto City Library of Historical Documents is an archive in Kamigyō-ku holding over ninety thousand items, including ancient manuscripts, folklore materials, and regional records. These materials came from different cultural institutions and are kept here for research and public viewing.

The archive was established in 1982 to preserve and study documents that were previously held by the Kyoto Histographical Institute and other cultural organizations. Its founding brought together these valuable collections in one central location.

The library hosts rotating exhibitions that show how Kyoto's daily life and traditions evolved through different periods. You can see through these displays how the city and its people changed over centuries.

The facility is open from 9 AM to 5 PM and is located on Matsukage-cho along Teramachi-dori Street. Exhibition rooms and research spaces are freely accessible to visitors.

On the second floor, visitors can examine copies of original manuscripts and ask researchers on site questions about Kyoto history. This direct interaction with experts makes the historical content feel more personal and understandable.

Location: Kamigyō-ku

Inception: 1982

Architects: Hiroyasu Tomiie

Official opening: November 1982

Address: 京都市上京区寺町通荒神口下る松蔭町138-1

Phone: +81752414312

Website: https://city.kyoto.lg.jp/menu2/category/24-2-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html

GPS coordinates: 35.01917,135.76750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46